Aspen parkland vegetation response to continuous and rotational grazing combined with fertilizing and seeding were determined in this study. Vegetative cover was greater on the continuously grazed pastures than rotationally grazed pastures. Pastures managed with four-field rotational grazing had greater cover than pastures managed with six-field rotational grazing. Changes in species composition occurred in all pastures, regardless of grazing system or fertilizer and seeding treatments applied. However, overgrazing caused increases of less desirable species in the continuously grazed pasture, while fertilizers and seeding enhanced smooth brome and Kentucky bluegrass composition in the rotationally grazed pastures. The results of this study suggest that the response of aspen parkland vegetation varies significantly among years, environmental conditions and pasture condition. Therefore, further research must be conducted before management recommendations for seeding, fertilizing and grazing can be made.
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